Melbourne Demons pair blasted for ‘unacceptable’ touching incident
After last month’s groping scandal rocked the AFL, two Melbourne Demons players have been filmed touching each other inappropriately.
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Six weeks after a groping scandal rocked the AFL, two more players have been caught on camera inappropriately touching each other.
During three-quarter time of Saturday’s match against the Essendon Bombers at Metricon Stadium, Melbourne Demons players Christian Petracca and Jayden Hunt were filmed touching each other while coach Simon Goodwin addressed the team.
According to Fox Sports reporter Tom Morris, Melbourne has spoken to the duo about the incident, and Petracca and Hunt have acknowledged it was inappropriate and not a good look for the club.
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In response to the damning footage, Western Bulldogs great Brad Johnson told Fox League: “I can’t believe we’re sitting here talking about it after everything that happened in regards to the Richmond players and the media around that.
“Now we’re seeing it again with two other players. When are they going to learn, the players?
“Just play the game, that’s all you’ve got to worry about. Play the game, play it well and get on and celebrate. None of this other stuff, it’s honestly ridiculous.”
Former Hawthorn star Jordan Lewis added: “Players need to be aware that we live in a different environment now.
“If it’s not mentioned on commentary, certainly social media will pick it up, and then when it gains traction the club and the AFL have to address it. They don’t need to be attending to these types of matters in such an important part of the year.
“Just don’t leave yourself open to this sort of criticism.”
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Melbourne released a statement regarding the incident on Sunday, promising the “juvenile” behaviour would not occur again.
“As AFL players, we are role models and have a responsibility to showcase the right behaviours to the wider AFL community,” Demons skipper Max Gawn said.
“On this occasion, we have clearly fallen short, and we own that this is not acceptable.
“Christian and Jayden know that this was an inappropriate act, which is not in line with our expectations, or that of the competition.
“As a playing group, we understand and respect the example we need to be setting, and will continue to reinforce this going forward.”
Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph tweeted: “I agree in the scheme of things in a pandemic this is very low on the scale. But as the AFL and Demons are well aware it’s bloody stupid when so many cameras are trained on players 6 weeks after the AFL cracked down after the Chol incident.”
In August, Richmond defenders Nick Vlastuin and Jayden Short were forced to apologise after vision showed the pair appearing to grope teammate Mabior Chol in the changerooms.
Tigers forward Jack Riewoldt was also filmed in a similar incident with teammate Jayden Short.
The AFL said in a statement at the time: “The actions of players touching several teammates inappropriately during post game celebrations and/or during club theme songs is not in keeping with either club, community or AFL expectations.
“The behaviour is inappropriate, unacceptable and juvenile. AFL players are professional athletes and set the example for the hundreds of thousands of kids playing football across the country.
“It is the responsibility of each club and the players themselves to ensure this inappropriate behaviour is not repeated.”
Richmond also released statements in which Vlastuin and Short issued apologies for the incident.
“It was a stupid action and I am deeply embarrassed. I’ve apologised to Mabior,” Vlastuin said.
Short said: “It was unacceptable behaviour and a poor example.”
Melbourne survived a late onslaught to secure a gritty 10.8 (68) to 7.7 (49) win against the Bombers on Saturday.
Demons fans will now turn their attention to Sunday evening’s match between the Fremantle Dockers and Western Bulldogs in Cairns.
The equation is simple — if the Bulldogs win, they qualify for the finals; but if Fremantle win, Melbourne will claim the vacant finals spot.
— with Tyson Otto
Originally published as Melbourne Demons pair blasted for ‘unacceptable’ touching incident